Early the next morning in the main hall of Hanguang Temple, Su Nansheng knelt before the Buddha, her eyes slightly closed.
Today she was dressed in a white silk dress adorned with peacock patterns, and a moon - colored silk shawl embroidered with auspicious patterns in gold thread draped over her shoulders. Her hair was styled in the popular flying fairy bun, with a golden peony flower on one side of the bun, making her look noble and charming.
In the misty incense smoke of the main hall, her quiet and pious face seemed to gradually blend with the Buddha who saved all sentient beings.
He Xun stared at her intently. For a moment, he even wanted to go in and worship with her.
But unfortunately, he had too much blood on his hands. The Buddha would never bless him.
Thinking of this, He Xun let out a self - mocking laugh.
He actually wanted to believe in the Buddha. The Southern Wu people even called him a demon.
After coming out of the main hall and making a donation for the incense, Chen Wanrong immediately complained that she was tired and wanted to go to the guest dormitory to rest.
"You two don't need to accompany me. I find it noisy. The scenery in the back mountain of Hanguang Temple is beautiful. You can go for a stroll. A Xun, you're in charge of protecting Nansheng."
Chen Wanrong's intention was so obvious that He Xun had no choice but to look at Su Nansheng. "Shall we go together?"
Su Nansheng nodded with a smile.
She had guessed that Chen Wanrong might bring He Xun, but she was still a little surprised when she actually saw him. At the same time, she was determined to persuade He Xun to marry her.
Seeing her smile, He Xun's cold face softened immediately, and he took the lead in walking in front.
Seeing this, Feiyu and Bitao immediately followed.
"Feiyu, you stay and protect me. And you, come and chat with me."
Chen Wanrong quickly grabbed Bitao and wouldn't let her follow.
Bitao was stunned. Didn't she just say she found it noisy? She turned her head to call Su Nansheng, but her view was blocked by Feiyu's tall figure.
Looking at Bitao's wide - open eyes, Feiyu looked up at the sky. There was nothing he could do. The mistress's glare was even more terrifying.
Su Nansheng deliberately ignored what was going on behind her and just stared at He Xun in front.
Today he was wearing a rare bright red silk robe with a nine - hole jade belt around his waist. His figure was as straight as a pine.
Su Nansheng suddenly remembered the past life. When he was punished because of her false accusation, his back was also so straight that even the beating couldn't bend it.
Su Nansheng couldn't help but feel guilty. This He Xun was indeed taciturn and cold, but he was by no means a lecherous and shallow person.
"Are you tired? I'll carry you."
A pair of big hands with calluses and distinct knuckles reached out in front of Su Nansheng. When she looked up, she saw He Xun's somewhat stiff face.
Although He Xun was walking in front, he had been paying attention to Su Nansheng behind him.
He didn't miss the surprise in Su Nansheng's eyes when she saw him just now. She should like him, right?
Seeing that she was walking slower and slower, he thought she was tired, so he reached out his hand, also with a hint of testing.
If Su Nansheng took his hand...
But Su Nansheng shook her head.
He Xun's eyes darkened. Just as he was about to reach out and pull Su Nansheng, he saw her gently grab the sleeve of his robe that was hanging down. "I'm not tired."
Looking at her fair hand, He Xun pressed down the corner of his lips. It looked good against the red silk.
"I heard that the northern border is full of dense forests and miasma, and the Southern Wu country is full of evil sorcery. I imagine it must have been very hard for you there, Mr. He."
Su Nansheng's concern arose from her guilt.
"Who cares about their evil sorcery? Just kill them straight through. Since they've been losing battles, I don't think the Southern Wu's evil sorcery is that powerful." He Xun said disdainfully.
Evil sorcery was just a pretence. It couldn't withstand his iron - clad army.
Su Nansheng felt even more guilty. While he was fighting on the front line, she was framing him in the rear. She was really despicable.
Hanguang Temple was already halfway up the mountain. As they were talking, they reached the top of the mountain.
The mist around them hadn't completely dispersed yet, and the wind blew through the leaves, making a rustling sound.
Listening to the melodious birdsong in her ears and looking at the ancient pines and cypresses halfway up the mountain, Su Nansheng suddenly felt calm.
Since she had wronged He Xun in the past life, she would make up for it in this life.
Thinking like this, Su Nansheng was about to ask about the marriage.
But then she heard He Xun say, "Look ahead."
Following his gaze, Su Nansheng saw the capital city not far away. The pavilions and towers were bathed in the golden - orange light, and there was a bustling crowd, making it lively and noisy.
"The northern border is full of poisonous insects and wild beasts. Some soldiers wake up and find themselves bitten or injured by poisonous insects. The food is also monotonous. They often eat the same thing for months.
But being able to protect the prosperity here makes it not so hard."
Su Nansheng knew that He Xun was answering her previous question. She couldn't help but smile.
"Mr. He..."
"I'll send someone to your mansion to propose marriage again."
He Xun turned around, his sharp eyes staring directly at Su Nansheng, not missing any subtle expression on her face.
Su Nansheng's smile was bright. "Okay."
...
Although Chen Wanrong was in the guest dormitory of the temple, her mind was far from calm.
"Feiyu, go and secretly check on your master. Listen to what they're saying by the way."
If this didn't work, she would just step in directly.
Hearing this, Feiyu's eyes widened suddenly, and he quickly shook his head.
"Huh? Am I not your mistress? Go quickly."
Feiyu first nodded, then quickly shook his head again. "Mistress, you might as well kill me."
Even if she killed him ten times, he wouldn't dare to eavesdrop on his master's conversation.
...
In a side courtyard of the Su Mansion, Su Hele was sitting in the shade, instructing Sumo to spread out the books to dry.
There were tall bamboos in front of her courtyard and weeping willows behind. Under the bamboo fence, there were chrysanthemums that hadn't bloomed yet, creating a peaceful and elegant scene.
Looking at the calm Su Hele, Deng felt heart - ache.
"My A Le, you've really been wronged."
The betrothal gifts from the Anshun Marquis Mansion yesterday were really disappointing.
But Su Ziming didn't seem to care. He said that as long as the matter was resolved, it was good enough for her to marry the second young master He.
Su Hele's face was calm.
"They're just some vulgar rituals. I don't care about them. What's important is the position of the main wife, being in a proper and legitimate status."
Now that she and He Jin were discussing marriage, they were engaged.
It was normal for an engaged couple to meet, which could surely silence those ignorant people.
"Yes, yes, yes. What's important is the status. After all, you'll be the wife of the Anshun Marquis Mansion."
Deng immediately straightened her back and looked more energetic.
"Alas, it's a pity that there's still no news about A Sheng's marriage." Su Hele said with concern.
Hearing this, Deng's straight back slumped again.
Su Hele glanced at her and then said,
"If even being a concubine is looked down upon for A Sheng, she might have a hard time getting married."
Deng snorted. "She deserves it. She's becoming more and more unruly."
"As her elder sister, I naturally can't bear to see A Sheng being wronged. To avoid people saying that she can't get married, why not let her be my dowry maid and enter the Anshun Marquis Mansion with me?"
"This... Isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Deng hesitated.
Su Hele smiled faintly.
"I'm marrying into the Anshun Marquis Mansion, a noble family. Even a maid there is better off than the mistress of an ordinary family. And although she's a dowry maid, do you think I'd really let A Sheng suffer?"
Deng rolled her eyes and seemed a little tempted.
"If she really can't get married, this is indeed a way out. It's better than going to Fangzhou with us. I'll talk to your father about it later."
Su Hele continued to instruct Sumo to dry the books, with a smile on her lips.